KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property Bhd (SD Property) is engaging with the state and federal governments to decide on the future of Malaysia Vision Valley (MVV).
Last week, newly appointed Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun and other state executive councillors announced they will discuss the MVV project with the federal Cabinet, before coming to a decision.
“The May 2017 memorandum of understanding with Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) and Brunsfield Development Sdn Bhd had lapsed late last year,” said SD Property managing director Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin.
“So, we’re seeking fresh approvals on the MVV as the public-private initiative with KWAP and Brunsfield had lapsed,” he told reporters after the company hosted Iftar with children of special needs here last night.
“Earlier this week, we met up with Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun and the response is promising because the MVV is a catalyst for Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
“We will seek engagement with the federal government, particularly on approvals concerning economic affairs and transport. At this stage, it is preliminary to come to any conclusion on the MVV project,” Amrin added.
Three years ago, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, when tabling the 2016 budget, announced the creation of MVV, an integrated economic development valley covering the western part of Negeri Sembilan and south of Selangor.
With a proposed area of 130,000 acres, or about 75 per cent the size of Singapore, this development will cover towns like Nilai, Seremban and Port Dickson.
The 30-year project was expected to attract about RM290 billion in investment, create 1.38 million new jobs and generate between 6.2 per cent to 7.3 per cent annual economic growth.
The MVV project includes the development of five strategic clusters namely Edu-Tech Valley, Tourism and Wellness, New Livable township, Central Business District and Nature City.
To another query on Pakatan Harapan government’s cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail project, Amrin acknowledged the planned Pagoh and Labu stations were located on land belonging to SD Property.
“We’ll continue to focus on our existing development such as Bandar Universiti Pagoh which is Malaysia’s first multi-varsity education hub,” he said.
“Our land between Nilai and Labu is also well-positioned to leverage on the government’s construction of highway connecting Nilai, Labu and Bandar Enstek, near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
“The Greater Kuala Lumpur southward growth trend will bring catalytic development encapsulated by the MVV project,” he added.